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Children need high nutrient foods to fuel their bodies and brains. Use these simple suggestions to introduce new foods, boost your child's appetite and encourage a balanced diet. Breast milk or formula should be your baby's main source of nutrition for the first year, and eating habits will vary from child to child. Ask your doctor any specific questions.

Special note: Avoid foods that may cause allergic reactions, such as peanut butter, egg whites, honey, nuts, fish, strawberries, wheat and orange juice. Talk with your doctor about when it's best to offer these foods.

6 to 8 months

• Introduction of proteins: Pureed meats, cottage cheese, yogurt or mild cheese.
• Combinations of different flavors: apples with sweet potatoes or pureed chicken with rice.
• Two or three meals a day in addition to breast milk or formula

8 to 15 months

• Finger foods: soft cheese, noodles, waffles or steamed vegetables
• Bite-size pieces that are big enough to pick up yet small enough to swallow, like Cheerios
• Soft pieces that a baby can "gum," like banana slices

15 months and up

• Manageable pieces: sandwiches, pizzas or hamburgers in miniature sizes
• Creative presentation: multi-colored pasta or fresh fruit in Jell-O cubes
• Healthy snacks to refuel: apple slices, steamed carrots, or rice cakes with cheese
• Multiple small meals a day

Want to take a parenting class or find a parenting support group? Find programs that can help you through Community Services Online or call the Community Information Line at 206.461.3200 or 1.800.621.INFO.

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*Information courtesy of Born Learning™, a public engagement and material distribution campaign that provides important information about what young children need every day to ensure quality early learning. Designed to support you in your critical role as a child's first teacher, Born Learning™ materials are made available through the efforts of United Way, United Way Success by 6 and Civitas. For more information, visit bornlearning.org.